Boro are on the crest of a UEFA Cup wave after completing the second part of their Italian Job against Roma.

Wednesday's backs to the wall performance at the Olympic Stadium was one of the club's finest hours as Boro advanced to the quarter finals on away goals.

And although they have lost their last two games against Charlton and the Italian giants, Boro are a far cry from the team that suffered back to back disappointments to Blackburn over Christmas.

Confidence is at a peak again, while form and performances have been largely positive, although their midweek European efforts could take a toll tomorrow, so squad rotation may come into effect.

Know the form: Blackburn Rovers>

Blackburn have been transformed into unlikely European contenders under the guidance of manager Mark Hughes this season.

The former Manchester United striker has masterminded a march to sixth place in the Premiership after creating a hard-working unit who play for each other, grind out results and are hard to beat.

Plus with the likes of Craig Bellamy and David Bentley in the side, Rovers are more than capable of banging in the goals as their ding-dong 4-3 win over Manchester United last month showed.

Rovers have won six league games this year as they make their rivals sit up and take notice and have not lost at Ewood Park since early December, when Everton beat them 2-0.

What we say about them>

Boro defender Emanuel Pogatetz believes Steve McClaren is right to shuffle his pack between league and Cup games.

And he is backing Mark Viduka to continue his rich vein of form if he makes the starting line-up against Blackburn, as he did as one of nine changes at Charlton.

"We have so many games and we are involved in so many competitions that we need every member of the squad," said Pogatetz.

"We have three fantastic strikers and Mark is one of them, so it's really hard for the manager.

"Sometimes he maybe doesn't know who should play, but we are really proud of our strikers and it's really good if we have three strikers like Mark Viduka."

What they say about us>

Midfielder Steven Reid is confident that Rovers can brush aside Boro and keep up their fine run until the end of the season.

"We are looking forward to the last nine games of the season and hopefully we can stay in that top six," said the Republic of Ireland international.

"We are looking forward to this weekend and hopefully we can get back to the sort of performance that we did at the Tottenham game.

"But Middlesbrough have picked up since we played them over Christmas. They look a different side.

"So I'm sure it is going to be a completely different game to the last time we played them."

Player spotlight: Boro>

Franck Queudrue might have to fill in as an emergency right-back again with Boro down to the bare bones in that position.

The left-sided French defender replaced Andrew Davies (knee) for the second half at Roma and may have to do so again with Davies struggling and Tony McMahon (knee) and Stuart Parnaby (hamstring) both out.

Malcolm Christie has yet to feature this term after a string of fitness problems, but winger James Morrison could be on the bench after playing almost an hour of the reserves' 2-0 defeat at Wolves in midweek.

Fabio Rochemback (ankle) is back in full training and could return to the squad for next Thurday's FA Cup quarter final at Charlton.

Player spotlight: Blackburn Rovers>

Blackburn look set to field an unchanged side after defender Michael Gray shrugged off a shoulder injury.

Turkish midfielder Tugay (calf) remains sidelined, along with long-term absentee and former Rangers defender Lorenzo Amoruso, while some of the club's younger stars are out on loan.

Defender James McEveley is spending a season at Championship side Ipswich, while striker Jemal Johnson - who has made two substitute appearances this season - is spending a month at Darlington.

Things they'd rather forget>

It's more a case of who, rather than what, Blackburn would like to forget.

Striker Kevin Davies proved a spectacular flop when he arrived at Ewood for #7m in the summer of 1998.

The burly former Chesterfield hitman was dubbed the next Alan Shearer but played more like Alan Titchmarch, scoring just one goal in 23 games.

Davies was quickly sold back to Southampton in a cut-price deal, leaving Rovers both red-faced and out of pocket.